: World Cultural Heritages of KyotoByodo-in temple in Uji, Kyoto
Photos below.Byodo-in temple, a member of World Cultural Heritages of Kyoto, has a typical Jodo-Shiki teien (Pure Land garden) that consists of Amida-do hall and a pond. Amida-do, a national treasure stands facing east on Naka-jima islet in Aji-ike pond. It was so laid out that ancient aristocrats make bow from the east side of the pond toward Amida-do that represents Pure Land, or the western paradise.
Inside of Amida-do are a figure of Amida-Nyorai (Amitabha Tathagata) and 51 smaller Buddhist images playing musical instruments. The primary and smaller images as well as the canopy above Amida-Nyorai are national treasures. The inner walls once were painted colorfully to represent Pure Land but the paint has faded away.
Guided tours into the hall are provided every 20 minutes from 9:10 to 16:10 or until the tour becomes full.
The bell, a national treasure, is regarded as one of three best bells in Japan. The beautifully cast bell is installed in the museum and a replica is hung in the belfry.
This temple is independent and does not belong to any Buddhist sects.
History
Fujiwara no Yorimichi (992-1074), who was Kanpaku (the Chief Advisor to the Emperor), the most powerful aristocrat at the time, transformed his villa into a temple that is called Byodo-in, in the year 1052. They believed that the very year was the first year of the latter days of the world and Fujiwara clan wanted to make Buddhist's heaven appear here.
This temple once had a huge complex but most of the buildings were burned down by fires of war in the years of 1180, 1336 and 1570. Present day Byodo-in has three structures only, that are Amida-do (Ho'o-do), Kan'non-do and a belfry.
How to get there
- 17 minutes to 28 minutes from JR Kyoto station to Uji station on JR Nara Line, then 10 minutes on foot.
- 31 minutes from Shijo station to Keihan-Uji station via Chushojima station on Keihan Railway, then 10 minutes on foot.
To see the map of this area, click HERE.
Hours and Admission
8:30-17:30
(museum: 9:00-17:00)
(Ho'o-do: 9:10-16:10)
All except those listed below: 600 yen (exclude Ho'o-do tour),
Junior high school students (7th to 9th graders) and high school students:
400 yen,
Elementary school pupils (1st to 6th graders): 300 yen,
Children under school age: free.
Guided tour into Ho'o-do: additional 300 yen.
Other places of interest in this area
Manpuku-ji, Kosho-ji and Ujikami-jinja, Mimuroto-ji
Photos / Pictures
Click on a photo for a larger image.
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| Amida-do Hall, commonly known as Ho'o-do (the Phoenix Hall), and it's reflection
on Aji-ike pond. The Phoenix Hall is believed to be so called because it's
shape looks like a bird spreading its wings. The main hall on the islet
of Aji-ike pond was built in the year 1053 and is now a national treasure. April 30, 2008 |
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| Ho'o-do looked from north-east. The hall faces east. April 30, 2008 |
The face of the primary Buddhist image can be seen through the round cutout
of the lattice in the center of Ho'o-do hall. The seated statue of Amida-Nyorai
(Amitabha Tathagata) is the sole work that is evidenced to have been created
by Jocho, a master sculptor of the era. April 30, 2008 |
An islet and a couple of bridges, one flat and the other arched. These
were reconstructed in 2002 based on an assumption, after a controversy. April 30, 2008 |
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| The right wing of Ho'o-do, seen from south. April 30, 2008 |
Ho'o-do and azalea. April 30, 2008 |
Aji-ike pond in front of Ho'o-do. April 30, 2008 |
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| Southern Ho'o, an phoenix, on the roof of Ho'o-do. This is a replica of the national treasure that is displayed in the museum. April 30, 2008 |
Northern Ho'o, which is also a replica. April 30, 2008 |
Kan'non-do hall, an important cultural property. April 30, 2008 |
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| Omote-mon gate, the front gate of the temple. April 30, 2008 |
The gate of Saisho-in, one of two sub-temples of Byodo-in. April 30, 2008 |
Fudo-do, the main hall of Saisho-in. April 30, 2008 |
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| Stone image of Murasaki Shikibu, the author of Genji-monogatari (the Tale of Genji). April 30, 2008 |